Hi,
I recently discovered XCSoar and haven't tested it in flight yet, but
started using it in sim mode, and performed several settings (those I'm
already used to in flight). I also ground tested my old device (HP iPaq
rx1950) on which I installed XCSoar, connected to the GPS antenna I
currently use (in flight with WinPilot 9.03 so far). Works fine so far...
First of all I really like the fact that versions for old hardware are
proposed, how simple install/update are thanks to the *.cab file, and what
is probably the result of significant work on performance issues (WP often
freezes during PAN or terrain display, whereas XCSoar doesn't).
Then, I like the easiness for setting the display (though not fully
intuitive - the manual is often needed, and not so extensive - cf. WP nav
boxes positioning; but I had a glance at 6.1alpha InfoBoxes, best to come!).
Eventually, I took the opportunity to know XCSoar better while doing the
settings, and getting to know it enough to be able to soon flight with it.
It brought me some questions and comments (v6.0.9 on iPaq1950 with WM5.1)
that you can read below if interested. Now that I found acceptable display
settings, I can't wait to test XCSoar in flight! (and compare with
WinPilot). In the mean time, even if my coding experience is quite old, I
will try to have a look into the project website and see if I can help
(already started on translation).
Congratulations for all the work.
Adrien
Comments/Questions :
On the manual,
- Paragraph 3.4 "Panning the map" does not detail the timer for "special
menu of buttons in pan mode" (see below).
- Paragraph 12.13 "Flight logs" of the 6.0 Manual does not specify where
the *.igc files of your flight are logged.
Maybe that could be user defined in Logger page (16) in the "setup system".
On the interface,
- It is surprising having the CLOSE (or CANCEL in 6.1a) buttons at
different locations according to the page you are in. Compare "Select
waypoint", "Setup system", and "Flight Setup" pages for instance. It would
be more consistent (and would increase user accessibility) to have it on a
same screen position whatever the page. I guess the position of the QUIT
button on launch page could also be harmonized,
- Similarly, the position of the PAN Off button is not the same as the
PAN On. Is that on purpose? This point is mentioned in ticket 439 (sequence
of buttons), and in 655 (what are the input files that are supposed to allow
the switch of buttons position? - cf. comment 1of #655).
- On my small device screen, the (big)
PAN/ZoomIn/ZoomOut/NearestWaypoint/MarksClear buttons clutter the display
when I need to slide the map in PAN mode (which is a mode in which I am
looking forward to seeing the greatest map area),
- More surprising is the Pan On button you get when you are in PAN mode
(On) and cycle through the Display modes (with dedicated buttons of the
iPaq), this point is similar to the behavior also described in ticket 439 (I
don't understand what "normal mode" is in the solution fix),
- It seems that there is a timer (not described in the manual) for
re-displaying these buttons in PAN mode (once you successfully got rid of
them through cycling on Display button). Maybe a single "click" on the
screen could manage the display/removal of the "special menu of buttons in
pan mode". I don't know if there is a risk of conflicts with other possible
user actions?
- Final glide bar behavior in PAN mode is surprising, but maybe this is
intentional: I don't understand why the final glide bar moves with the map
(then returns back to its position) when you slide it (rather than staying
steady with regards to the screen).
I am unsure if these comments are worth writing bug/feature requests (if so
please tell me for each).
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